Category Archives: AY/Vespers/Sabbath School

Once a month, we host vesper service on a Friday night. It’s an opportunity for us to fellowship with one another through worship and God’s Word. On Saturdays, we review the lesson of the week in Sabbath School and discuss various topics in the afternoons in our AY program.

When you think of the word, “addiction,” what words or phrases comes to mind? One could say captivity, chained, slavery, can’t live without.

Did you know that most Americans suffer from one or more addictions? Did you know that the majority of them don’t even know they’re addicted?

Sex, drugs, and alcohol are the usual culprits, but there are other addictions that exist such as gambling, shopping, food consumption, loved ones, and even sin. An addiction is the condition of being abnormally dependent on some habit.

There are three ways to get addicted: your flesh, your eyes, and your lifestyle. When Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days and nights in the wilderness, what do you think happened? In Matthew 4, Jesus was tempted to satisfy his hunger by turning the stones into bread (flesh). He was then tempted to throw himself down from a pinnacle of the temple, to prove that the angels watching him would catch him –keeping him from harm (eyes). Lastly, he was shown all of the kingdoms around the world he would inherit if he were to worship the devil (lifestyle). Thankfully, Christ chose to stand firm, resist temptation, and follow the Lord thy God.

Addiction is a choice, but genetics may also have a role to play. We have to be mindful that moderation and temperance is the key to leading a Christian lifestyle.

The only addiction we ought to have is Jesus Christ. He gave us life, he sustains us, and it is only he who can free us from the things or people in our lives who have tried to keep us in bondage.

For Singles Ministries’ Weekend, we were blessed to have Bro. Garry Graham on Friday February 18th to discuss just a few of the things God expects from His children, more specifically the men.

10-Get your education. You can’t rely solely on your talent. Getting just a Bachelor’s degree isn’t going to be enough. Go for your master’s degree or higher. If you’re deficient in something, get help to improve it.

9-Marry for love, not money. It’s not always going to be a consensus on whom you choose to marry. If you marry for money, what happens once it’s all gone.

8-Every female cannot be your woman. People come into your life for a reason. You can’t date every woman you see. She may prepare you for the next woman or introduce you to your wife. You are there to learn something from that person, that you will take to the next level. Ask God to reveal His plan to you.

7-Define your relationships. Differentiate your relationship with individuals. Don’t get the lines blurred. Rank people where they are.

6-Set your standards for yourself high. You should exceed the standards you expect for others. Don’t lower your standards, open your horizons. Be motivated to push forward.

5-Your culture is an asset. Don’t be ashamed of your culture, but remember what’s appropriate in the workplace and at home.

4-Date around. Never stay in one place. Visit other churches, interview for other jobs even if you aren’t looking for a new position, form new relationships. Explore so that you can discover your strengths and weaknesses.

3-Dedicate yourself to your ministry, cause, and career. God something for all of us to do. We all play a role in the ministry of the kingdom. We can’t all be leaders–doctors or lawyers. We must identify our purpose in order to fulfill it.

2-Time and attendance. Be on time. Enough with the excuses.

1-Commit to Christ. Consecrate yourself in him everyday through devotion, family worship, and how you conduct yourself daily. Read Steps to Christ. Take time to commune with God.

On Friday May 14, the Singles Ministries Departments of Hebron and Rogers Avenue SDA Churches presented a forum on singlehood. We were truly blessed and hope you will be too. Here’s a synopsis. Enjoy!

What does it mean to be single? Who is considered to be a single person? Well it’s really simple. Anyone who is not married, is single. If you’re widowed, divorced, dating/courting, or engaged…you’re single.

In today’s society, our youth between the ages of 12-35 are active on the dating scene. They’re the ones who are socializing and networking in search of that perfect man or woman. In order to get to know someone of interest in the opposite sex, one must date. Then what is the definition of dating and should Christians partake in this activity?

Dating is arranging a social outing with another person, creating an opportunity to get acquainted. What happens on a date is decided by the two parties involved. Unfortunately, the word “date” has an entirely new meaning compared to 10 or even 20 years ago. Back in the days, a date would end when she is walked to her front door and maybe a kiss on the cheek. Nowadays, a date ends in bed.

What is the difference between dating and courting? Dating is when you get to know the person or persons you have an interest in. Courting, however, is when you have chosen to spend time with one particular person with the intention of marriage.

Most of us don’t court, we date. Why? That all depends on the person. Many of us don’t fully understand the difference between the two words. The lines tend to get blurred resulting in total confusion and heartache. Then there are those who date for all the wrong reasons. I hate being single. I want a man or woman. I’m lonely. I’m getting old.

We have gotten so comfortable with the standards given to us by the world, that we have completely ignored the plans God has for us. God never intended for us to date. He wanted us to court. Why date around when God has already hand-picked our perfect mate?

Trust in God, don’t worry about relationships. When the time is right, everything will fall into place.